Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday.

"While they were all amazed at his every deed, Jesus said to his disciples, “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying."  (Luke 9: 43 - 45).

Saturday 25th September 2021, in the 25th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday.

Our short Gospel for today is the Second Prediction of the Passion  of Jesus. Pay attention to the very words of the Messiah: "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”

Jesus is telling us to pay careful attention to the Prediction of His Passion: "The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” Here are other rendition of this text:

"Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” (NIV).
“Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.” (NLT).
"Let these words sink into your ears: the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men [whose conduct is opposed to God]." (AMPC).

Note carefully that the Father allowed His Son to be delivered into the hands of wicked men. Why? The Father had decided that the Cross is the Means of Salvation for all mankind.

How does this message of Jesus affect the 21st century Christians? It eliminates totally all prosperity gospels. All wishful thinking about how we want the kingdom of God to be. It places the Cross in its proper home: At the Center of the Salvation Drama.

God the Father wills that All men should be saved. How? Through the Cross. Take up your cross and follow after me. Jesus pleads.  Your daily cross may relate to health, family, job, money, children, house, car, etc. All the myriad of issues that trouble and deplete us. Whatever your cross may be, bear it with love and patience.

The Blessed Virgin Mary whom we honor today understands the Cross very intimately. She is the only human being that knows Jesus from womb to tomb. For that, she deserves our profound respect and gratitude.

"The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Yes, my beloved little son, the eighth sorrow of my maternal and Immaculate Heart is that my Son is so offended in the Sacrament of His love. This sorrow of mine will endure until the end of time, when the real presence of my Son in the Most Holy Sacrament will give way to the sight of His divine majesty. Then will faith give way to vision, and hope to possession. Then will love be secure and everlasting for all who will have died in the embrace of His divine friendship." (IN SINU JESU, Thursday, September 15, 2011).

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